Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for controlling a contrast ratio of content in an electronic device, the method comprising: receiving the content, the content being standard dynamic range (SDR) content including one or more frames; identifying one or more highlight regions based on luminance information of each of the one or more frames included in the SDR content; deciding thresholds based on the one or more highlight regions in the each of the one or more frames; generating one or more masks corresponding to the one or more highlight regions based on the thresholds for the each of the one or more frames; generating a contrast ratio-controlled frame based on the one or more masks and one or more boosting factors for the each of the one or more frames; and generating high dynamic range (HDR) content based on the contrast ratio-controlled frame generated for the each of the one or more frames, wherein the thresholds comprise a hard threshold for identifying a boundary of a highlight region and a soft threshold for each of the one or more highlight regions, and wherein the hard threshold is decided based on an average pixel luminance and a luminance highlight distribution in the luminance information, is greater than the average pixel luminance and smaller than a maximum luminance, and is determined as a number indicating a specific percentage with respect to a total pixel count of one frame.
This invention relates to enhancing the contrast ratio of standard dynamic range (SDR) content in electronic devices to produce high dynamic range (HDR) output. The problem addressed is the limited contrast and dynamic range in SDR content, which can result in washed-out highlights and reduced visual quality. The method processes SDR content frame-by-frame to identify and enhance highlight regions while preserving detail. The process begins by analyzing the luminance information of each frame in the SDR content to detect highlight regions. Thresholds are then determined for these regions, including a hard threshold to define the boundary of a highlight and a soft threshold for each highlight. The hard threshold is calculated based on the average pixel luminance and the distribution of highlight luminance, ensuring it is greater than the average but below the maximum luminance. The soft threshold is used to refine the highlight region. Masks are generated for each highlight region using these thresholds, and contrast ratio-controlled frames are produced by applying boosting factors to the masked regions. The final output is HDR content, where the enhanced contrast ratio improves visual quality by preserving highlight details and improving overall dynamic range. This approach dynamically adjusts contrast based on frame content, ensuring consistent enhancement across different scenes.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the luminance information is decided based on a luminance histogram.
A method for determining luminance information in an image processing system involves analyzing a luminance histogram to decide the luminance values. The luminance histogram represents the distribution of brightness levels across the image. By evaluating this histogram, the system identifies key luminance characteristics, such as peak brightness, average brightness, or dynamic range, to optimize image processing tasks like exposure correction, tone mapping, or contrast enhancement. The method ensures accurate luminance adjustments by leveraging statistical data from the histogram, improving visual quality in applications like digital photography, video processing, or display calibration. The approach may also include preprocessing steps to normalize or filter the histogram data before analysis, ensuring robustness against noise or outliers. This technique is particularly useful in automated systems where manual luminance adjustments are impractical, such as real-time video streaming or high-volume image batch processing. The method enhances image clarity and consistency by dynamically adapting to varying lighting conditions captured in the input data.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the one or more highlight regions are identified by a predetermined algorithm, and correspond to one or more of a white region, a black region, a high-luminance region, a low-luminance region, a saturated highlight, a skin tone region, a sky tone region, and a specified area region in the luminance histogram.
This invention relates to image processing, specifically methods for identifying and processing highlight regions in digital images. The problem addressed is the need to automatically detect and adjust specific regions of an image to enhance visual quality, such as correcting overexposed or underexposed areas, improving contrast, or preserving details in critical regions like skin tones or skies. The method involves analyzing an image to identify one or more highlight regions using a predetermined algorithm. These regions may include white regions, black regions, high-luminance areas, low-luminance areas, saturated highlights, skin tone regions, sky tone regions, or user-specified areas. The algorithm examines the luminance histogram of the image to determine these regions, ensuring accurate detection of areas requiring adjustment. Once identified, these regions can be processed separately from the rest of the image to apply targeted enhancements, such as tone mapping, exposure correction, or color grading, while maintaining natural appearance. The technique is particularly useful in applications like photography, medical imaging, and surveillance, where precise control over specific image regions is essential. By automating the detection of critical regions, the method reduces manual effort and improves consistency in image processing workflows. The algorithm can be integrated into software tools or hardware devices for real-time or batch processing of digital images.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the soft threshold is decided in a predetermined range from the hard threshold according to light distribution of the each of the one or more frames.
This invention relates to image processing, specifically to methods for adjusting thresholds in image analysis to improve detection accuracy. The problem addressed is the challenge of distinguishing relevant features from noise in varying lighting conditions, where fixed thresholds may fail to adapt to dynamic light distributions across frames. The method involves determining a soft threshold for image analysis, which is dynamically adjusted based on the light distribution of each frame. The soft threshold is set within a predetermined range relative to a hard threshold, which serves as a fixed reference point. By analyzing the light distribution in each frame, the system calculates an optimal soft threshold that balances sensitivity and noise rejection. This adaptive approach ensures consistent performance across different lighting scenarios, improving the reliability of feature detection in applications such as surveillance, medical imaging, or autonomous systems. The method may also include preprocessing steps like noise reduction or contrast enhancement to further refine the thresholding process. The dynamic adjustment of the soft threshold allows the system to maintain accuracy without manual recalibration, making it suitable for real-time applications.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more boosting factors has a different value for each of the one or more masks.
This invention relates to image processing, specifically techniques for enhancing image quality by applying multiple masks with adjustable boosting factors. The problem addressed is the need for flexible and precise image enhancement, where different regions of an image may require distinct levels of adjustment to improve clarity, contrast, or other visual attributes. The method involves generating one or more masks that segment an image into regions of interest. Each mask is associated with a unique boosting factor, allowing different enhancement levels to be applied to each region. The boosting factors are dynamically adjusted based on the characteristics of the regions they correspond to, ensuring tailored enhancement. This approach enables fine-grained control over image processing, improving visual quality without over-enhancing or distorting specific areas. The technique is particularly useful in applications where image regions have varying importance or require different levels of enhancement, such as medical imaging, photography, or computer vision tasks. By applying distinct boosting factors to each mask, the method ensures that enhancements are applied precisely where needed, avoiding uniform adjustments that may degrade image quality in certain areas. The dynamic adjustment of boosting factors allows for adaptive processing, optimizing the enhancement based on real-time analysis of the image content.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating of the contrast ratio-controlled frame comprises: applying a boosting factor of the one or more boosting factors to each of the one or more masks, and merging the one or more masks to which the boosting factors are applied into the one mask.
This invention relates to image processing techniques for enhancing contrast in digital images or video frames. The problem addressed is the need to improve visibility of details in low-contrast regions while preserving natural appearance and avoiding excessive artifacts. The solution involves generating a contrast ratio-controlled frame by selectively boosting contrast in specific areas of an image. The method applies one or more masks to an image, where each mask identifies regions requiring contrast adjustment. A boosting factor is then applied to each mask, amplifying the contrast in the designated regions. These modified masks are merged into a single mask, which is used to generate the final contrast-enhanced frame. The boosting factors are dynamically adjusted based on local contrast ratios, ensuring that enhancements are applied proportionally to the original contrast levels. This approach prevents over-amplification in already high-contrast areas while significantly improving visibility in low-contrast regions. The technique is particularly useful in medical imaging, surveillance, and consumer electronics, where accurate detail preservation is critical. The method ensures that contrast adjustments are smooth and visually pleasing, avoiding abrupt transitions or unnatural artifacts.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating of the contrast ratio-controlled frame comprises: merging the one or more masks into the one mask, and applying the one or more boosting factors to the merged one mask.
This invention relates to image processing techniques for enhancing contrast in digital images or video frames. The problem addressed is the need to improve visual clarity by dynamically adjusting contrast ratios while preserving important image details. The method involves generating a contrast ratio-controlled frame by merging multiple masks into a single mask and applying one or more boosting factors to the merged mask. The masks are used to identify regions of the image that require contrast enhancement, and the boosting factors determine the degree of enhancement applied to those regions. By merging the masks, the method simplifies the processing while ensuring that the contrast adjustments are applied uniformly across the identified regions. The boosting factors allow for fine-tuning the contrast enhancement to achieve optimal visual quality. This approach is particularly useful in applications where maintaining detail in both bright and dark regions of an image is critical, such as medical imaging, surveillance, or high-dynamic-range (HDR) video processing. The method ensures that contrast adjustments are applied in a controlled manner, avoiding over-enhancement that could lead to artifacts or loss of detail.
8. An electronic device for controlling a contrast ratio of content, the electronic device comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data; and a processor configured to: receive the content, the content being standard dynamic range (SDR) content including one or more frames, identify one or more highlight regions based on luminance information of each of the one or more frames included in the SDR content, decide thresholds based on the one or more highlight regions in the each of the one or more frames, generate one or more masks corresponding to the one or more highlight regions based on the thresholds for each of the one or more frames, generate a contrast ratio-controlled frame based on the one or more masks and one or more boosting factors for the each of the one or more frames, and generate high dynamic range (HDR) content based on the contrast ratio-controlled frame generated for the each of the one or more frames, wherein the thresholds comprise a hard threshold for identifying a boundary of a highlight region and a soft threshold for each of the one or more highlight regions, and wherein the hard threshold is decided based on an average pixel luminance and a luminance highlight distribution in the luminance information, is greater than the average pixel luminance and smaller than a maximum luminance, and is determined as a number indicating a specific percentage with respect to a total pixel count of one frame.
This invention relates to electronic devices for enhancing the contrast ratio of standard dynamic range (SDR) content to produce high dynamic range (HDR) output. The problem addressed is the limited contrast and dynamic range in SDR content, which can result in washed-out highlights and reduced visual quality. The device includes a transceiver for data transmission and reception, and a processor that performs several key functions. The processor receives SDR content containing multiple frames and analyzes luminance information to identify highlight regions within each frame. It then determines thresholds for these regions, including a hard threshold to define highlight boundaries and a soft threshold for each highlight region. The hard threshold is based on the average pixel luminance and the luminance distribution of highlights, ensuring it is greater than the average but below the maximum luminance. The processor generates masks corresponding to the highlight regions using these thresholds and applies boosting factors to adjust contrast. The result is a contrast ratio-controlled frame for each input frame, which is then combined to produce HDR content. This approach improves visual quality by dynamically enhancing contrast in highlight areas while preserving detail.
9. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the luminance information is decided based on a luminance histogram, and wherein the one or more highlight regions are identified by a predetermined algorithm, and correspond to one or more of a white region, a black region, a high-luminance region, a low-luminance region, a saturated highlight, a skin tone region, a sky tone region, and a specified area region in the luminance histogram.
This invention relates to electronic devices configured to process image data by analyzing luminance information to identify and adjust highlight regions. The technology addresses the challenge of accurately detecting and enhancing or suppressing specific luminance regions in images to improve visual quality. The device processes image data to generate a luminance histogram, which is used to determine luminance information. A predetermined algorithm analyzes the histogram to identify one or more highlight regions, which may include white regions, black regions, high-luminance regions, low-luminance regions, saturated highlights, skin tone regions, sky tone regions, or user-specified areas. These regions are then processed to adjust their luminance values, enhancing contrast, brightness, or other visual attributes. The algorithm ensures precise detection of these regions by leveraging histogram analysis, allowing for targeted adjustments that improve image clarity and aesthetic appeal. The invention is particularly useful in digital cameras, smartphones, and image editing software, where accurate luminance processing is critical for high-quality image output.
10. The electronic device of claim 8 , the soft threshold is decided in a predetermined range from the hard threshold according to light distribution of the each of the one or more frames.
The invention relates to image processing in electronic devices, specifically for adjusting exposure thresholds in low-light conditions. The problem addressed is the difficulty in capturing clear images in low-light environments due to insufficient light distribution, which can lead to underexposed or overexposed frames. The solution involves dynamically determining a soft threshold for exposure control based on the light distribution of one or more captured frames. This soft threshold is set within a predetermined range relative to a hard threshold, which serves as a fixed reference point. The soft threshold is adjusted to optimize exposure by analyzing the light distribution across the frames, ensuring better adaptation to varying lighting conditions. The electronic device includes an image sensor for capturing frames and a processor for processing the frames to determine the soft threshold. The processor may also apply additional image processing techniques, such as noise reduction or contrast enhancement, to improve image quality. The invention aims to enhance image clarity and detail in low-light scenarios by dynamically adjusting exposure thresholds based on real-time light distribution analysis.
11. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more boosting factors has a different value for each of the one or more masks.
This invention relates to electronic devices that process image data using multiple masks and boosting factors to enhance image quality. The problem addressed is improving image processing efficiency and accuracy by dynamically adjusting boosting factors for different masks. The device includes a processor configured to apply one or more masks to image data, where each mask corresponds to a specific region or feature in the image. The processor also applies one or more boosting factors to the masked image data, where each boosting factor has a distinct value for each mask. This allows for fine-tuned adjustments to different image regions, improving contrast, sharpness, or other visual attributes. The boosting factors may be determined based on image analysis, user preferences, or predefined settings. The device may further include a memory to store the masks and boosting factors, and an output interface to display or transmit the processed image. The invention ensures that each mask receives an optimized boosting factor, enhancing overall image quality while maintaining computational efficiency. The system can be applied in digital cameras, smartphones, or other imaging devices.
12. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to: apply a boosting factor of the one or more boosting factors to each of the one or more masks, and merge the one or more masks to which the boosting factors are applied into the one mask.
This invention relates to electronic devices configured to process image data, particularly for enhancing image quality by applying and merging multiple masks with boosting factors. The problem addressed is improving image processing efficiency and quality by dynamically adjusting and combining multiple masks to enhance specific features or regions in an image. The electronic device includes a processor that generates one or more masks from image data, where each mask corresponds to a different feature or region of interest. The processor applies a boosting factor to each mask to amplify or attenuate its effect, then merges the boosted masks into a single mask. This merged mask is used to enhance the original image data, improving contrast, sharpness, or other visual attributes. The boosting factors can be predetermined or dynamically adjusted based on image analysis, allowing for adaptive enhancement tailored to the content. This approach reduces computational overhead compared to processing multiple masks separately while maintaining or improving image quality. The invention is applicable in digital cameras, smartphones, and other imaging systems where real-time image enhancement is required.
13. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to: merge the one or more masks into the one mask, and apply the one or more boosting factors to the merged one mask.
This invention relates to electronic devices configured to process image data, particularly for enhancing image quality through mask-based techniques. The problem addressed involves improving computational efficiency and accuracy in image enhancement by optimizing the application of multiple masks and boosting factors. The electronic device includes a processor that generates one or more masks from input image data, where each mask represents different enhancement parameters for regions of the image. The processor then merges these individual masks into a single unified mask, consolidating the enhancement information. Additionally, the processor applies one or more boosting factors to the merged mask to further refine the enhancement effect. The boosting factors adjust the intensity or influence of the merged mask on the final image output, allowing for dynamic control over the enhancement process. This approach reduces the computational overhead associated with processing multiple separate masks while maintaining or improving image quality. By merging masks and applying boosting factors, the device achieves more efficient and precise image enhancement, particularly useful in applications requiring real-time processing, such as video streaming or camera systems. The technique ensures that the enhancement process remains adaptable to varying image conditions while minimizing resource consumption.
Unknown
May 19, 2020
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